John Santa examines bluegrass music in NC

In the final installment of Down Home in North Carolina, the 2013 three-part Road Scholars speakers series exploring North Carolina’s history, heritage and culture, the multi-talented John Santa will discuss “The Culture of Bluegrass Music in North Carolina: My Life as an Accidental Bluegrass Musician” — an examination of the rich history and heritage of bluegrass music in the Tar Heel State.

This free public event, appropriate for adults and high school students, will be presented at 2 p.m. Saturday in the auditorium of the Gaston County Public Library, 1555 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. No reservations are required for individuals and families. Advance reservations are required for organized groups to ensure seating.

Gathering in old tobacco barns and general stores across the state, the culture of bluegrass music and the old South still permeates our everyday lives. While many people associate Kentucky with bluegrass music, the fact is many of the pioneers of this indigenous American art form were North Carolina born and bred.

In fact, when one considers the confluences of African, Scottish and English musical heritage, a strong case can be made that bluegrass was, in fact, born in North Carolina.

There is no one more fervent on any subject than the recently converted — and John Santa is as fervent convert to bluegrass music.

Using musical examples (both recorded and performed live) and personal anecdotes of travels across North Carolina from his book, “Bluegrass Is My Second Language,” Santa seeks to illuminate the joys of bluegrass music to both the uninitiated and longtime fans.

John Santa is an award-winning producer and musician who lives in Chapel Hill, loves music and plays 18 instruments. At various points in his life, Santa thought he was a guitar player, a writer, a cellist, a journalist and a producer. Then, he says, one day he realized he was really just a storyteller, and his life got much, much easier.

Santa also says that some of his proudest achievements are being voted Teacher Of The Year four years in a row at Piedmont Community College in Roxboro, and founding the Marathon Jam for Charity in Chapel Hill, which has spread to cities all around the country and even overseas.

Santa notes that he finds it delightfully ironic that, as a poor struggling author/musician, he has been able to raise substantial sums of money for various charities, most notably the Fisher House, a nonprofit organization that provides free or low-cost lodging to veterans and military families receiving treatment at military medical centers. Santa says he believes there is nothing more powerful than a good idea, but it helps a lot if you and your friends are more than a little bit crazy.

Santa has won many awards for his video productions and, while he revels in telling many different kinds of stories, he most enjoys the ones that in some way seek to make the world a better place, thus the preponderance of educational and medical videos in his resume.

Page 2 of 2 - Some say the glass is half full. Some say half empty. John just drinks the water.

For more information about The Culture of Bluegrass Music in North Carolina … and other Gaston County Public Library events, call 704-868-2164 / Dial 4 or visit www.gastonlibrary.org.

In the event that the library is closed because of inclement weather, the lecture program will be held at 7 p.m. March 25 at the main library.

Carol Reinhardt is program coordinator for the Gaston County Public Library.